The right of a court to punish a person's or party's wrongdoing as if the actions of the defendant were criminal. … [Read more...]

In English law. A writ to recover damages against a bishop who does not admit a plaintiff's clerk. It is, however, rarely or never necessary; for it is said that a bishop, refusing to execute the writ ad admittcndum clericum, or making an insufficient return to It, may be fined. Wats. Cler. Law, 302. … [Read more...]

In English law. A criminal court held before two or more justices of the peace, (one of whom must be of the quorum,) in every county, once in every quarter of a year. 4 BL Comm. 271; 4 Steph. Comm. 335. In American law. Courts established in some of the states, to be holden four times in the year, invested with criminal jurisdiction, usually of offenses less than felony, and … [Read more...]

An ancient writ, which lay for one who had a right to present to a church for a turn against the proprietary. Fleta, 1. 5, c. 6. … [Read more...]

Wherefore he obstructed. In old English practice. A writ which lay for one who, having a liberty to pass through his neighbor's ground, could not enjoy his right because the owner had so obstructed it. Cowell. … [Read more...]